How Does Food Affect Your Mood?
Knowing how food affects your mood will give you a better understanding of what to pick when grocery shopping. And it allows you to make necessary changes to food that's not contributing to a positive mood.
After a recent scientific study, 32% of patients who ate a healthy diet no longer have symptoms of depression. Building a better lifestyle is about creating a healthy mindset. But, it's easy to overlook eating healthy when you have mental health conditions.
The key to a healthy lifestyle is eating treat food like chocolate in moderation and filling your plate with nutritional food at meals.
Here is how to find the best foods to eat.
Does What You Eat Affect Your Mood?
Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions globally; food can majorly change your mood. Understanding how food affects your mood would help if you learned about serotonin. This chemical is produced in the gut and sends messages to your brain.
For example, if you only eat high-sugar foods, you don't benefit from fruits and vegetables. This is why it's common to feel low without a balanced diet.
Your brain needs micronutrients and vitamins to function correctly. Here is a list of the critical micronutrients to include in your diet:
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Potassium
If you skip meals, you start feeling irritable and can develop low blood sugar. The best way to eat is to have three balanced meals daily with the right nutritional snacks in between.
Food is often used for calming nerves if you suffer from anxiety, so avoiding high amounts of caffeine is important. Balance cups of coffee with fresh fruit and vegetables so your brain isn't overstimulated. There are also certain foods like chocolate to avoid late at night, as this will increase your anxiety before sleeping.
What are the best foods for a healthy mind?
What Foods Support a Better Mood?
Fatty fish full of omega-3 acids should be part of a healthy diet. Salmon and tuna are great sources of omega-3. But you can also find healthy fats in olive oil and avocado.
Fermented foods promote healthy gut production, so adding things like sauerkraut and kimchi is essential. Drinks such as kefir will also help your gut; you can mix it with fruit for a sweeter taste.
Leafy greens are versatile and can be mixed with fatty fish and nuts for a healthy meal. Kale and spinach are great as they can be prepared in several ways. You can cook leafy greens or eat them raw.
For a sweet treat, dark chocolate is the perfect substitute for sugary snacks. Plus, you can get the benefits of mood-boosting compounds. So, you can enjoy the things you love without the sugar rush that leaves you feeling flat.
Mixing berries with dark chocolate is the ultimate healthy dessert, and it's great for your mental health. The vitamin C in berries will help control stress levels and release anxiety.
Nuts and seeds have always been an important part of nutrition, and they have amino acids for producing serotonin. Keep a bunch of almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and walnuts so you can have something to uplift your mood quickly. It's a good idea to store nuts and seeds on your office desk so they are nearby.
Most of the time, people reach for sugary snacks when bored or tired. Even though we've all been guilty of having treats, your mood will be affected over time without the right food. Take away the temptation by refilling your kitchen with these healthy foods, and you'll notice a difference in your mood swings.
What Foods Are a Deterrent?
Processed foods are known for having lots of sugar and salt. These convenient foods might be easy to prepare but don't increase your serotonin. Your body can also suffer from inflammation after too many processed foods. After a long time, prolonged inflammation will cause high-stress levels and appetite changes.
Be careful with packaged salad dressings and sauces. Checking the label will ensure you know the ingredients and can avoid sauces with lots of sugar. Sometimes the label will say "sugar-free," but there are artificial sweeteners. If you have anxiety or depression, it can heighten your stress response.
Fried foods can increase depression, which makes them something to avoid in your diet. Instead of having fried chicken, you can switch the meat by putting it in the oven. This still allows you to have the benefits of protein in chicken without the side effects of fried food.
Choosing whole wheat bread over white bread is another way to decrease sugar content. The flour can cause a spike in your blood sugar, so eating bread for lunch can leave you feeling up and down. For a more stable mood, you can eat wholewheat or quinoa which is also an excellent source of fiber.
Being mindful of your drink choices is essential for mental health. Energy drinks are tempting if you need a caffeine boost but can lead to weight gain and depression. Minimize drinks with sugar and artificial sweeteners. Consider increasing your water intake up to 1/2 your weight in ounces of water each day.
Exercising regularly and taking note of your mental health will also give you more control over your moods.
Consider adding high-quality supplements to your diet to give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive if you are not already eating a well-balanced whole-foods diet.Learn More About How Food Affects Your Mood
It's vital to discover more about how food affects your mood if you suffer from anxiety or depression. A long-term healthy lifestyle is built on small habits that are repeated daily. You must fuel your body with nutrients from the moment you wake up to feel happy.
Supplements are a great addition to your diet if you find the right seller with professional testing. Invest in your health with our range of products and give your brain the love it deserves.
Jay Todtenbier is an original founder of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly he spent 25 years in business development, technology and marketing with startups and major corporations having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about, and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight that impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has been an advocate for healthier living encouraging others to live better through making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-foods nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and the use of targeted, high-quality supplements.
Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.
Related Content
We encourage you to take advantage of these FREE Wellness Resources on our website.
A Stay at Home Wellness Guide: Exercise
Physical activity is a great way to facilitate better health and reduce stress. While we are spending more time at home, consider these suggestions to alter activities you are likely already doing, to provide more movement in your daily routines.
Adding Superfoods to Your Diet
We have all heard of the term superfoods. But what does it mean? What are these foods that supposedly have numerous health benefits? How much of these foods should we be eating, and are they beneficial?
For Better or Worse - Cooking Changes Food
Is healthy food still healthy AFTER you cook it? If you want to continue to improve your overall health and wellbeing OR you've been trying to improve a chronic health condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, then you MUST know how food preparation (cooking) can positively or negatively impact your health.
How to Use Macronutrients in Your Diet
We all need macronutrients to stay healthy. But what are they and how can you use a macronutrient diet? The amount of macronutrients you get in your diet is important but so is the source of those macros.
In this article, we'll explain the difference between micronutrients and macronutrients and how to build a healthy diet.
Mental Fitness as Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle
Cognitive decline will happen to everyone as they get older. It involves thinking and processing information at a slower pace, moving slower, remembering less information, and having a difficult time putting together sentences.
Understanding Inflammation's Link to Obesity, Diabetes, & Disease
This article provides introductory knowledge on the role of blood sugar and body fat on inflammation. Inflammation is the center-point of disease and the main contributor to obesity.
Vitamin D and Mental Health
Vitamin D is commonly known as the 'sunshine vitamin.' This is simply because, when exposed to the sun, our bodies produce the vitamin. Let's take a look at what the science shows about how this vital vitamin impacts our mental health.
What Is the Standard American Diet (SAD)?
How aware are you of what's going into your body? Are you eating to live or living to eat? In reality, we all have different nutritional needs, but the standard American diet (SAD) doesn't suit most of them (or most people, for that matter). Your diet might be making you sick, sluggish, and at-risk.
What You Should Know About Amino Acids
What are amino acids, how can we get them, and what do they do? Amino acids are the foundation of life; all plants and animals need them to be alive.
Keep reading to learn more about amino acids.
What's a Sedentary Lifestyle? The Risks Plus the Benefits of Exercise
Are you living a sedentary lifestyle? Many of us are. We don't move our bodies as much as we used to. Here's why a sedentary lifestyle can be bad for your health and simple, positive lifestyle changes to help improve your life.
Why You Should Choose Omega-3 Rich Foods in Your Diet
For years, health experts have touted the benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids, but most people don't understand why they are essential. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the health of your body's cell membranes and provide benefits for blood vessels, immune systems, lungs, and endocrine systems.
-
Blog Post
After a recent scientific study, 32% of patients who ate a healthy diet no longer have symptoms of depression. Building a better lifestyle is about creating a healthy mindset. But, it's easy to overlook eating healthy when you have mental health conditions.
The key to a healthy lifestyle is eating treat food like chocolate in moderation and filling your plate with nutritional food at meals.
Here is how to find the best foods to eat.
Does What You Eat Affect Your Mood?
Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions globally; food can majorly change your mood. Understanding how food affects your mood would help if you learned about serotonin. This chemical is produced in the gut and sends messages to your brain.
For example, if you only eat high-sugar foods, you don't benefit from fruits and vegetables. This is why it's common to feel low without a balanced diet.
Your brain needs micronutrients and vitamins to function correctly. Here is a list of the critical micronutrients to include in your diet:
- Vitamin C
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Potassium
If you skip meals, you start feeling irritable and can develop low blood sugar. The best way to eat is to have three balanced meals daily with the right nutritional snacks in between.
Food is often used for calming nerves if you suffer from anxiety, so avoiding high amounts of caffeine is important. Balance cups of coffee with fresh fruit and vegetables so your brain isn't overstimulated. There are also certain foods like chocolate to avoid late at night, as this will increase your anxiety before sleeping.
What are the best foods for a healthy mind?
What Foods Support a Better Mood?
Fatty fish full of omega-3 acids should be part of a healthy diet. Salmon and tuna are great sources of omega-3. But you can also find healthy fats in olive oil and avocado.
Fermented foods promote healthy gut production, so adding things like sauerkraut and kimchi is essential. Drinks such as kefir will also help your gut; you can mix it with fruit for a sweeter taste.
Leafy greens are versatile and can be mixed with fatty fish and nuts for a healthy meal. Kale and spinach are great as they can be prepared in several ways. You can cook leafy greens or eat them raw.
For a sweet treat, dark chocolate is the perfect substitute for sugary snacks. Plus, you can get the benefits of mood-boosting compounds. So, you can enjoy the things you love without the sugar rush that leaves you feeling flat.
Mixing berries with dark chocolate is the ultimate healthy dessert, and it's great for your mental health. The vitamin C in berries will help control stress levels and release anxiety.
Nuts and seeds have always been an important part of nutrition, and they have amino acids for producing serotonin. Keep a bunch of almonds, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and walnuts so you can have something to uplift your mood quickly. It's a good idea to store nuts and seeds on your office desk so they are nearby.
Most of the time, people reach for sugary snacks when bored or tired. Even though we've all been guilty of having treats, your mood will be affected over time without the right food. Take away the temptation by refilling your kitchen with these healthy foods, and you'll notice a difference in your mood swings.
What Foods Are a Deterrent?
Processed foods are known for having lots of sugar and salt. These convenient foods might be easy to prepare but don't increase your serotonin. Your body can also suffer from inflammation after too many processed foods. After a long time, prolonged inflammation will cause high-stress levels and appetite changes.
Be careful with packaged salad dressings and sauces. Checking the label will ensure you know the ingredients and can avoid sauces with lots of sugar. Sometimes the label will say "sugar-free," but there are artificial sweeteners. If you have anxiety or depression, it can heighten your stress response.
Fried foods can increase depression, which makes them something to avoid in your diet. Instead of having fried chicken, you can switch the meat by putting it in the oven. This still allows you to have the benefits of protein in chicken without the side effects of fried food.
Choosing whole wheat bread over white bread is another way to decrease sugar content. The flour can cause a spike in your blood sugar, so eating bread for lunch can leave you feeling up and down. For a more stable mood, you can eat wholewheat or quinoa which is also an excellent source of fiber.
Being mindful of your drink choices is essential for mental health. Energy drinks are tempting if you need a caffeine boost but can lead to weight gain and depression. Minimize drinks with sugar and artificial sweeteners. Consider increasing your water intake up to 1/2 your weight in ounces of water each day.
Exercising regularly and taking note of your mental health will also give you more control over your moods.
Consider adding high-quality supplements to your diet to give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive if you are not already eating a well-balanced whole-foods diet.Learn More About How Food Affects Your Mood
It's vital to discover more about how food affects your mood if you suffer from anxiety or depression. A long-term healthy lifestyle is built on small habits that are repeated daily. You must fuel your body with nutrients from the moment you wake up to feel happy.
Supplements are a great addition to your diet if you find the right seller with professional testing. Invest in your health with our range of products and give your brain the love it deserves.
AuthorJay Todtenbier is an original founder of SupplementRelief.com in 2010 and has operated the business ever since. He is also a tennis instructor and gospel musician. Formerly he spent 25 years in business development, technology and marketing with startups and major corporations having gone through the tech boom in Silicon Valley in the 90s. He became passionate about, and began studying and practicing Wellness as a Lifestyle after experiencing chronic, personal health challenges including depression, auto-immune disorders, and being overweight that impacted his ability to live a healthy, vibrant life. Since then, he has been an advocate for healthier living encouraging others to live better through making small, gradual changes to lifestyle behaviors relating to whole-foods nutrition, stress management, reasonable exercise, proper sleep, and the use of targeted, high-quality supplements.
Learn more about Jay Todtenbier.
-
Related Content
Related Content
We encourage you to take advantage of these FREE Wellness Resources on our website.
A Stay at Home Wellness Guide: Exercise
Physical activity is a great way to facilitate better health and reduce stress. While we are spending more time at home, consider these suggestions to alter activities you are likely already doing, to provide more movement in your daily routines.
Adding Superfoods to Your Diet
We have all heard of the term superfoods. But what does it mean? What are these foods that supposedly have numerous health benefits? How much of these foods should we be eating, and are they beneficial?
For Better or Worse - Cooking Changes Food
Is healthy food still healthy AFTER you cook it? If you want to continue to improve your overall health and wellbeing OR you've been trying to improve a chronic health condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, then you MUST know how food preparation (cooking) can positively or negatively impact your health.
How to Use Macronutrients in Your Diet
We all need macronutrients to stay healthy. But what are they and how can you use a macronutrient diet? The amount of macronutrients you get in your diet is important but so is the source of those macros.
In this article, we'll explain the difference between micronutrients and macronutrients and how to build a healthy diet.
Mental Fitness as Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle
Cognitive decline will happen to everyone as they get older. It involves thinking and processing information at a slower pace, moving slower, remembering less information, and having a difficult time putting together sentences.
Understanding Inflammation's Link to Obesity, Diabetes, & Disease
This article provides introductory knowledge on the role of blood sugar and body fat on inflammation. Inflammation is the center-point of disease and the main contributor to obesity.
Vitamin D and Mental Health
Vitamin D is commonly known as the 'sunshine vitamin.' This is simply because, when exposed to the sun, our bodies produce the vitamin. Let's take a look at what the science shows about how this vital vitamin impacts our mental health.
What Is the Standard American Diet (SAD)?
How aware are you of what's going into your body? Are you eating to live or living to eat? In reality, we all have different nutritional needs, but the standard American diet (SAD) doesn't suit most of them (or most people, for that matter). Your diet might be making you sick, sluggish, and at-risk.
What You Should Know About Amino Acids
What are amino acids, how can we get them, and what do they do? Amino acids are the foundation of life; all plants and animals need them to be alive.
Keep reading to learn more about amino acids.
What's a Sedentary Lifestyle? The Risks Plus the Benefits of Exercise
Are you living a sedentary lifestyle? Many of us are. We don't move our bodies as much as we used to. Here's why a sedentary lifestyle can be bad for your health and simple, positive lifestyle changes to help improve your life.
Why You Should Choose Omega-3 Rich Foods in Your Diet
For years, health experts have touted the benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids, but most people don't understand why they are essential. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the health of your body's cell membranes and provide benefits for blood vessels, immune systems, lungs, and endocrine systems.
The information, knowledge, and experience shared on this website is the opinion of SupplementRelief.com. This site and its content is intended to enhance your knowledge base as YOU MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS in partnership with your qualified health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products referred to are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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